Terror strikes in heart of city - 42 killed in twin blasts

Hyderabad: At least 42 persons were killed and 100 were injured in near-simultaneous blasts that ripped through Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat Bandar in the city on Saturday evening. The death toll is likely to go up further.

Police officers said they had seized an unexploded bomb tied to a scooter near a theatre in Malakpet at 10.30 pm.

The first blast occurred at 7.38 pm, police and bomb experts said. It shattered the eating joint at Koti near the VHP office, where hundreds were enjoying a relaxed Saturday evening. As many as 26 people died in the blast and scores were injured.

Four minutes later, at 7.42 pm, a bomb exploded at the Lumbini Park where a laser show was going on, killing 10 people. The park abuts the Hussainsagar, right in front of the high security zone of the State Secretariat.

Police suspects that the blasts were caused by bombs which were connected to timer devices.

"We are sure that the blast in the Lumbini Park was caused by a bomb, but we are not sure of the nature of the blast in the eatery."

Most of the injured were rushed to Mediciti Hospital and the Osmania General Hospital in the city.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy and home minister K. Jana Reddy visited the blast spots. Three bodies were still lying at Lumbini Park when the VVIPs rushed to the blast site.

The blast in Lumbini Park was so powerful that more than a dozen chairs were blown to bits. Bodies were strewn all around the place. People rushed out, gripped by panic, causing a stampede.

It was blood-soaked chaos in the emergency ward of the OGH too where 26 persons, including two children, were brought in dead.

Another 35 persons were rushed in with injuries. The blast had disfigured the faces of some of them. Others are feared to have lost their eyes.

Cleaning staff were straining their sinews to wash away the blood which had made the ward floors crimson.

"The bomb went off as I entered Gokul Chat Bandar with my daughter," said S. Vimala, one of the injured. "It was a huge blast with a deafening sound. I lost consciousness and when I woke up, I could not spot my daughter."

However, her 10-year-old daughter escaped with minor injuries and later searched out her mom.

"Most of the injured are in shock," said OGH chief medical officer Dr D. Manohar. "We are giving the best available treatment. All the doctors are on duty and additional medical teams have been called in."

Meanwhile, top officials and a Telugu Desam delegation led by MLA Nagam Janardhan Reddy reached the hospital.

Relatives and friends of the injured and dead were milling outside in a state of grief and panic as police did not allow them in. Many did not even know whether their dear ones were alive or dead. The families and friends of the victims were too rattled to pin blame on anyone.

Ravikumar, a friend of Shyam Rao of Seethaphalmandi who died in the blast at Gokul Chat Bhandar, was at a loss for words after seeing his friend's body at the Osmania General Hospital.

"He was about to get married soon,"said Ravikumar. "I am unable to express my feelings."

K. Krishna Chaitanya, who also died at Gokul, was to celebrate his birthday on Sunday.

"I was watching the news when I saw my friend Chaitanya and rushed to the hospital," said his friend K. Krishna Chand. "It is absolutely shocking."

Apsa Jahan and her daughter Farhana had gone to Gokul after buying books from Koti. Jahan died and the daughter was seriously injured. Their relatives were inconsolable.

There were heart rending scenes at Mediciti and Yasodha hospitals too.

"I am searching for my missing relatives, Mohammed Saleem, Fareeda and their children Mohammed Ameer and Mohammed Ali," said Asia Sultana a resident of Mehidipatnam. "They had gone for the laser show. But now I can't trace them." Meena, who came from Rajkot along with her family, was injured in the blast. "But I am more worried about my son, who is in critical condition," she said.

Police identified three persons who died at Yashoda Hospital as Mohammed Basith, 21, Ibrahim Khan and N.K. Jain, inspectors of railway police in Madhya Pradesh. Most of the victims were tourists.

Tragedy: Family left Lumbini park before blast, died at Gokul eatery

The Angel of Death stalked the family of a small-time realtor on Saturday evening. The family left Lumbini Park before the bomb explosion there on Saturday only to land up at Gokul Chat Bhandar, which was also hit by a blast.

Mohammad Saleem, 47, his wife Farida Naaz, 35, and eight-year-old Ameer and six-year-old Mohammad Ali, were killed in the blast.

His two widowed sisters, Ayesha Sultana and Zahera Begum, shocked beyond words, are slowly coming to the grim realisation that they are all alone. "They left home at around 5.30 pm after the kids returned from school," said the sisters, who haven't eaten a morsel since the shocking incident.

After reaching Lumbini Park, Saleem made several calls to his sisters who were in the house of a relative. The keys of their flat at Golconda Apartments in Humayunnagar were with Saleem and assured his sisters he would return soon. After spending some time at the park, the family went to Koti for shopping. An hour later they went to Gokul Chat Bhandar.

"Our brother made his last call at 7.20 pm," said the sisters. "We thought they were at the laser show when the bomb went off. We rushed there and searched for them. We could not trace them at Lumbini Park. Later, we came to know that they were killed in the blast at Gokul Bhandar."

The sisters came to know of the blast through television. "We saw the horrible scenes at the park and rang up our brother several times," said Ayesha. "But there was no response from his mobile."

The sisters rushed to the park in panic. "We were hopeful that they may have escaped unhurt," said Ayesha and Zahera. "But we could see only their bodies." "Saleem used to look after us," they said. "We don't know how we will live without him."

Neighbours were shocked at the death of the amiable realtor and his family. "He was highly religious and helpful," said Meraj, a neighbour. "We had friendly relations with his family for the last 12 years."

"We have not come across such a noble person. Saleem never hurt any one. He was known for lending a helping hand in the neighbourhood. It's not death but terrorists who snatched him away from us all," Saleem's relative Farah Farooqui said.